Section 690-420 - Training and general requirements(a) Approval.--Training course instructors and training plans required by this section shall be approved by the department. Operator training and qualification shall meet the requirements of this section.(b) Conduct.--(1) Training shall be conducted in the basics of the operation of a diesel engine, Federal and State regulations governing their use, company rules for safe operation, specific features of each piece of equipment and the ability to recognize problems.(2) Training shall be provided to each equipment operator and the mine health and safety committee if one exists. This training shall be designed to bring every operator to a level of good understanding of diesel equipment operation.(3) Each operator shall be qualified by attending a minimum eight-hour course, including classroom training on diesel fundamentals and equipment-specific hands-on training on the job. Training shall include instruction in the following classroom subjects: (i) Engine fundamentals. This subparagraph includes an introduction to the function of a diesel engine and recognition of major components and their functions.(ii) Diesel regulations. This subparagraph includes an introduction to Federal and State regulations governing the use of diesel equipment.(iii) Diesel emissions. This subparagraph includes an introduction to diesel emissions and their adverse health effects.(iv) Factors which affect diesel emissions. This subparagraph includes a detailed presentation of engine faults and diesel fuel quality, their effect on emissions and the preventive actions which can be taken to minimize emissions levels.(v) Emissions control devices. This subparagraph includes a detailed presentation of the different emissions control devices employed to reduce emissions and details about actions the operator must take to keep the devices in working order.(vi) Diagnostic techniques. This subparagraph includes a presentation of techniques which can be employed by the operator to assure the equipment is in safe operating condition and instruction about how to recognize and diagnose certain engine faults which may cause increases in emissions.(vii) Preoperational inspection. This subparagraph includes a presentation of the purpose, benefits and requirements of the preoperational inspection.(viii) Ventilation. This subparagraph includes an introduction to special ventilation requirements for areas where diesel-powered equipment will operate.(ix) Fire suppression system. This subparagraph includes an introduction to the fire suppression system and its function and when and how to activate the fire suppression manually.(x) Operating rules. This subparagraph includes a detailed presentation of the driving rules, safe driving speeds, traffic control devices and equipment limitations.(xi) Emergency procedures. This subparagraph includes discussion of:(A) emergencies, such as fire, diesel fuel spills, component failure, loss of ventilation air and emergency escape procedures; and(B) potential use of the diesel-powered vehicle as an emergency escape vehicle in case of a mine emergency.(xii) Recordkeeping and reporting procedures. This subparagraph includes a presentation on required recordkeeping and reporting procedures for problems or unsafe conditions, high emissions levels and preoperational inspections made by the equipment operator.(c) Certificate.--Upon successful completion of both training sessions, the operator shall be issued a certificate of qualification which qualifies the operator to operate a specific type of diesel-powered equipment. An operator may be qualified to operate more than one type of equipment by completing additional equipment-specific training covering differences specific to each additional type of equipment.(d) Refresher training.--Refresher training, separate from that required by MSHA regulations at 30 CFR Pt. 48 (relating to the training and retraining of miners), shall be required annually.(e) Annual certificate.--A new certificate of qualification shall be issued annually after the equipment operator has received the annual refresher training.2008, July 7, P.L. 654, No. 55, §420, effective in 180 days [ 1/5/2009].